River Falls mayor reiterates: police not an immigration-enforcement agency after resident raises misconduct concerns

The mayor of River Falls opened Tuesday’s meeting by addressing resident concerns about immigration enforcement and police-community communication, saying the River Falls Police Department “is not an immigration enforcement agency” and does not participate in the federal 287(g) program.

"The River Falls Police Department is not an immigration enforcement agency. River Falls Police Department does not participate in the federal 287 g program, and our officers are not focused on civil immigration violations," the mayor said, adding the police chief and city administrator have been in regular communication and that a written communication to council will follow.

During public comment Dana Linscott, speaking as a private citizen, said she had tried to contact the chief about "what appeared to be officer misconduct," that the deputy chief "could not be found," and that she did not receive a promised response after being told the chief would call her back. "No call resulted from that meeting," Linscott said.

Mayor's response and next steps: The mayor said the chief will appear at the upcoming Asset City session next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. to engage directly with residents. The mayor also said council will receive a written communication later in the week addressing questions raised about enforcement and policy.

Why it matters: The exchange put departmental policy and the chief’s availability on the public record and prompted the city to commit to a public session and a written update. Linscott’s allegation of officer misconduct was raised in public comment but no disciplinary or investigatory outcome was discussed at the meeting.

Ending: The mayor’s remarks and the scheduled opportunity for the chief to speak are the latest public disclosures; the council did not take a vote related to police policy at the Feb. 10 meeting.